"Character is what God and the Angels know of us. Reputation is what men & women think of us. Never change you character for a better reputation" - Unknown
Use the pic on your blog, set it as your profile pic, use it as an avatar or anything else to show solidarity with whats happening in South Africa....
Browsing through the web I came across the song "Zamilooni" from Native Deen. Its about the relationship the Prophet SAW had with his wife Khadija RA... The words of the song are so deep and moving. Going through Islamic history, we so often read about all the "big" events that have happened and defined Islam, we tend skip over the smaller and seemingly insignificant ones.
Zamilooni means "Hold Me"- just thinking back to when the Prophet SAW first received revelation- the emotions that must have been going through his heart and mind- the first person that we went to, the person to comfort him, understand him, help him make sense of it all, was his beloved wife, Khadija. He ran to her asking her to Hold Him & Cover Him- and she did. She was the pillar of strength in one of the most defining moments of history. She was there for him, she supported him, she believed in him, she encouraged him...
The song goes on to talk about the love the Prophet SAW had for his wife- in that is such an example of what an ideal relationship should be. We read & watch so many love stories these days and think "awww thats so sweet".... yet we have forgotten that we have our own love stories in Islam- stories that are incredible. Even after the passing away of Khadija RA, the Prophet SAW used to cry and pray for her when he would find something that reminded him of her.
The relationship between them is a shining example for all of us....
An angel came with words from God, things were still unclear
Saying read - read, but he couldn’t read, then amazing words he heard
A trembling deep inside his heart, confused by what had occurred
There was only one who could comfort him
And help him see the light
To ease his fears, to reassure
It was khadijah, his wife…
Chorus
He said Zamilooni, Zamilooni, Dathirooni, Dathirooni, (Envelop me, Embrace me)
A mighty task has come before me…
I need you here with me…
By my side…
She was a woman of nobility, successful in all her trade
Many wealthy men had asked for her, she had turned them all away
But when she saw Muhammad, a shining moon, may peace be on his soul
He was a light for her – so right for her – her life will now be whole
But she had never seen him so distressed, as he was there that day
She would comfort him, and hold him tight, and chase his doubts away
Chorus
Bridge…
We look for stories of love, in places dark and cold
When we have a guiding light, for the whole world to behold
But were so selfish in our ways, and to the ones we hold so close
Our own pleasure and happiness is what we value most
But she sacrificed all her wealth and everything she had
And he honored her, and gave her faith,
when the times were bad, when times were bad...
Now years have passed, times had changed,
since khadijah breathed her last.
Message of the one true God,
was spreading far and vast
But then he came across some jewelry,
that khajidah once had worn
His eyes began to swell with tears,
his heart again began to mourn
Cause she was there for him, when times were rough,
and his enimies were cruel
Was the first believer, so keen and eager, to comfort al-Rasool
Chorus
Mawlaya salli wa sallim da’iman abada
'Ala habibika khayril khalqi kullihimi
(O my Leader, send your salutations and blessings forever
Upon Your Beloved, the best of the whole of creation)
This video is fantastic, it does such a great job at breaking down so many of the stereotypes that surround Muslims today.
I've been a fan of Kareem Salama for some time now. His songs are very inspirational... Browsing through YouTube I came across this video for one of his songs... "A Land Called Paradise"
I really love the "I love Jesus" t-shirt.... Its so true- Muslims do love Jesus, he is such a great Prophet....
I wanna go to the valley of the King
I wanna live in a land called paradise
Wanna see the birds fly and I wanna hear the angels
Sing the praises of my Lord so far above
As I move poetically with the struggle I fall in love
I look to the left I look to the right and all I gaze upon
Reveals the source of flowers rainbows and the dew at dawn
Some see before and some see in and some see after
I let my sight pierce the chains and see the master
(Chorus)
I wanna live in a land called paradiseI wanna go to the Valley of the King
I wanna live in a land called paradise
Wanna see the birds fly and I wanna hear the angels sing
So many times in my life I ask myself the question
What got me brought me into all this mess I’m swimming in
But pain is not and neither harm in the pool of bliss
So slap me with your hand or kiss me with your softest kiss
Tell me that you love me or that you don’t like me now
Tell me you invite me or that you don’t want me around
I won’t cry over a world that can’t change my life
I’ll put my money on what lies ahead in paradise
(Chorus)
I wanna live in a land called paradise
I wanna go to the Valley of the King
I wanna live in a land called paradise
Wanna see the birds fly and I wanna hear the angels sing
I try to do right and love my wife and trade and pray and talk
I can be anywhere doing anything and I’m mindful of God
I’m pleased in good and happy in harm and now I realize that I already live in a land called paradise
(Chorus)
I wanna live in a land called paradise
I wanna go to the valley of the king
I wanna live in a land called paradise
Wanna see the birds fly and I wanna hear the angels
I wanna live in a land called paradise
I wanna go to the valley of the king
I wanna live in a land called paradise
Wanna see the birds fly and I wanna hear the angels sing
The words of this song are really fantastic... It reminds me of quite a few of my newly married friends and how they are settling into their new life.
Arguments, disagreements etc. are all part of life & relationships. Sometimes its always better to just take a step back and remember:
"This could be the final hour, or this could be the finest hour."
We have no guarantees of what may lay ahead, its always best to make the most of what we have right now. Live in the moment! Enjoy each others company as though it may be the last time you're together.... Be thankful for each and every moment you have...
Next time you get into an argument, just remember the lyrics below as you take the last sip of your cold tea...
He said, “There’s nothing more to say.”
then lectured on for another hour.
She said, everything was fine.
She said, she didn’t like to whine,
then cried on for another hour.
They sat there screaming through the room was silent.
They sat so still though the scene was violent.
And words can never really help you say,
what you want them to anyway.
And words can never really help you see,
what you really want to be.
He took a last sip of cold tea.
Last chance to stop all these lies.
Last chance to clean up these lives.
This could be the final hour.
This could be the final hour, or
this could be the finest hour.
And words can never really help you say
what you want them to anyway.
And words can never really help you see,
what you really want to be.
He took a last sip of cold tea."
Great video, showing the world what life is like through the eyes of ordinary people in Darfur. I believe the video itself was shot on location in Darfur. What strikes me most about this video, are the scenes of the children playing and smiling, Children are the same everywhere in the world.
Right now it is the Muslim month of Ramadan, where we fast from sunrise to sunset. Yesterday, I overslept and did not wake up before sunrise to have something to eat so I'd be full for the day... By midday I was taking strain. Just before sunset and the time to break fast, I was promising myself I'd never oversleep again because I was finnished, had no energy and just could not wait to sink my teeth into something! I was fortunate enough to have to a choice of what to eat at sunset, Pasta, Rice, Pizza, Milkshake, Pepsi, Water, Salad, Bread, Hoummous... Needless to say we had many other things in the fridge.
People around the world go through this feeling of hunger, not just for a few hours... but everyday. Imagine that! Every single day, not knowing where your next meal is going to come from. I did not feel like eating rice yesterday, so I chose to eat something else. I had a choice.
Today I have a choice as well. Am I going to sit back and still live a selfish life as I did yesterday? Am I going to sit and not be thankful for the many things God has blessed me with? Am I still going to sit back and watch videos on my PC of people suffering around the world and do nothing about it? Today we all have a choice...
See tears that flow like rivers from the skies.
Where it seems there are only borderlines
Where others turn and sigh,
You shall rise
There's disaster in your past
Boundaries in your path
What do you desire will lift you higher?
You don't have to be extraordinary, just forgiving.
And those who never heard your cries,
You shall rise
And look toward the skies.
Where others fail, you prevail in time.
You shall rise.
(You may never know,
If you lay low, lay low)
You shall rise
Sooner or later we must try... Living
(You may never know,
If you lay low, lay low)
See the nation through the people's eyes,
See tears that flow like rivers from the skies.
Where it seems there are only borderlines
Where others turn and sigh,
You shall rise x4
(You may never know,
If you lay low, lay low)
Sooner or later we must try... Living
Courageous and caring
Faithful and friendly with stories to share
All through the forest, they sing out in chorus
Marching along as their song fills the air
Gummi Bears
Bouncing here and there and everywhere
High adventure that's beyond compare
They are the gummy bears
Magic and mystery are a part of their history
Along with the secret of gummi berri juice
Their legend in growing
They take pride in knowing
They'll fight for what's right in whatever they do
Gummi bears
Bouncing here and there and everywhere
High adventure thats beyond compare
They are the gummi bears
They are the gummi bears
Dashing and daring
Courageous and caring
Faithful and friendly with stories to share
All through the forest
They sing out in chorus
Marching alont as their song fills the air
Gummi bears
Bouncing here and there and evreywhere
High adventure that's beyond compare
They are the gummi bears
Gummi bears
When a friend's in danger they'll be there
Lives and legends that we all can share
They are the gummi bears
They are the gummi bears
They are the gummi bears!
A friend of mine just emailed this to me, thought that its worth sharing...
(Anon)
Some things are beyond planning.
And life doesn't always turn out as planned.
You don't plan for a broken heart.
You don't plan for an autistic child.
You don't plan for spinsterhood.
You don't plan for a lump in your breast.
You plan to be young forever.
You plan to climb the corporate ladder.
You plan to be rich and powerful.
You plan to be acclaimed and successful.
You plan to conquer the universe.
You plan to fall in love - and be loved forever.
You don't plan to be sad.
You don't plan to be hurt.
You don't plan to be broke.
You don't plan to be betrayed.
You don't plan to be alone in this world.
You plan to be happy.
You don't plan to be shattered.
Sometimes if you work hard enough, you can get what you want.
But MOST times, what you want and what you get are two different things.
We, mortals, plan. But so does Allah (God) in the heavens.
Sometimes, it is difficult to understand Allah's plans especially when
His plans are not in consonance with ours.
Often, when He sends us crisis, we turn to Him in anger. True, we cannot
choose what Allah wishes us to carry, but we can carry it with courage
knowing that He will never abandon us nor send something we cannot cope
with.
Sometimes, Allah (God) breaks our spirit to save our soul.
Sometimes, He breaks our heart to make us whole.
Sometimes, He allows pain so we can be stronger.
Sometimes, Allah sends us failure so we can be humble.
Sometimes, He allows illness so we can take better care of ourselves.
And sometimes, Allah takes everything away from us so we can learn the
value of everything He gave us.
Make plans, but understand that we live by Allah's (God's) grace.
Alright... the temptation to start blogging about technology and all work related things has finaly taken over. I've started a new blog at www.riyaadm.com This blog is all about technology- web 2.0, mobile, social, convergance & community.
If you're into technology and the like then check it out and let me know what you think....
Oh and I'm still going to keep this blog going as it is :-)
Sami Yusuf's latest release. The words of the song are praising Allah, it is taken from the Quran where all the 99 Names (attributes) of God are mentioned, called Asma'U Husna.
Here is a list of the 99 names with their meanings...
ASMÂ
ALLÂH UL HUSNÂ |
||
| Name/Transliteration | Translation | Some selected relevant verses from the Qur'ân |
| ALLÂH | Allâh | (1:1)(3:18)(5:109)(7:180)(8:40) (16:91)(20:8)(57:5)(65:3)(74:56) (85:20)(98:5) |
| AR-RAHMÂN | The
Most Compassionate, The Beneficent |
(1:3)(17:110)(19:58)(21:112) (27:30)(36:52)(50:33)(55:1)(59:22) (78:38) |
| AR-RAHÎM | The Merciful | (2:163)(3:31)(4:100)(5:3)(5:98) (11:41)(12:53)(12:64)(26:9)(30:5) (36:58) |
| AL-MALIK | The King | (20:114)(23:116)(59:23)(62:1)(114:2) |
| AL-QUDDÛS | The Most Holy | (59:23) (62:1) |
| AS-SALÂM | The All-Peaceful, The Bestower of peace | (59:23) |
| AL-MU'MIN | The Granter of security | (59:23) |
| AL-MUHAYMIN | The Protector | (59:23) |
| AL-'AZÎZ | The Mighty | (3:6) (4:158) (9:40) (9:71) (48:7) (59:23) (61:1) |
| AL-JABBÂR | The Compeller | (59:23) |
| AL-MUTAKABBIR | Supreme in Greatness, The Majestic |
(59:23) |
| AL-KHÂLIQ | The Creator | (6:102) (13:16) (39:62)(40:62)(59:24) |
| AL-BÂRI' | The Maker | (59:24) |
| AL-MUSAWWIR | The
Bestower of form, The Shaper |
(59:24) |
| AL-GAFFÂR | The Forgiver | (20:82)(38:66)(39:5)(40:42)(71:10) |
| AL-QAHHÂR | The Subduer | (13:16)(14:48)(38:65)(39:4)(40:16) |
| AL-WAHHÂB | The Bestower | (3:8)(38:9)(38:35) |
| AR-RAZZÂQ | The Provider | (51:58) |
| AL-FATTÂH | The Opener, The Judge | (34:26) |
| AL-'ALÎM | The All-Knowing | (2:158)(3:92)(4:35)(24:41)(33:40) (35:38)(57:6) |
| AL-QÂBID | The Withholder | (2: 245) |
| AL-BÂSIT | The Expander | (2:245) |
| AL-KHÂFID | The Abaser | |
| AR-RÂFI' | The Exalter | |
| AL-MU'IZZ | The Bestower of honour | (3:26) |
| AL-MUDHILL | The Humiliator | (3:26) |
| AS-SAMÎ' | The All-Hearing | (2:127) (2:137) (2:256) (8:17) (49:1) |
| AL-BASÎR | The All-Seeing | (4:58) (17:1) (42:11) (42:27) (57:4) (67:19) |
| AL-HAKAM | The Judge | (22:69) |
| AL-'ADL | The Just, The Equitable | (6:115) |
| AL-LATÎF | The Gentle, The Knower of subtleties | (6:103) (22:63) (31:16) (33:34) (67:14) |
| AL-KHABÎR | The All-Aware | (6:18) (17:30) (49:13) (59:18) (63:11) |
| AL-HALÎM | The Forbearing | (2:225) (2:235) (17:44) (22:59) (35:41) |
| AL-'AZÎM | The Incomparably Great | (2:255) (42:4) (56:96) |
| AL-GAFÛR | The Forgiving | (2:173) (8:69) (16:110) (41:32) (60:7) |
| ASH-SHAKÛR | The Appreciative | (35:30) (35:34) (42:23) (64:17) |
| AL-'ALIYY | The Most High | (2:255) (4:34) (31:30) (42:4) (42:51) |
| AL-KABÎR | The Most Great | (13:9) (22:62) (31:30) (34:23) (40:12) |
| AL-HAFÎZ | The Preserver | (11:57) (34:21) (42:6) |
| AL-MUQÎT | The Sustainer | (4:85) |
| AL-HASÎB | The Reckoner | (4:6) (4:86) (33:39) |
| AL-JALÎL | The Majestic, The Revered, The Sublime | |
| AL-KARÎM | The Generous | (27:40) (82:6) |
| AR-RAQÎB | The Watchful | (4:1) (5:117) |
| AL-MUJÎB | The Responsive | (11:61) |
| AL-WÂSI' | The All-Encompassing, The All-Embracing | (2:115) (2:261) (2:268) (3:73) (5:54) |
| AL-HAKÎM | The Wise | (2:129) (2:260) (31:27) (46:2) (57:1) (66:2) |
| AL-WADÛD | The Loving One | (11:90) (85:14) |
| AL-MAJÎD | The Most Glorious | (11:73) |
| AL-BÂ'ITH | The Resurrector | (22:7) |
| ASH-SHAHÎD | The Witness | (4:79)(4:166)(22:17)(41:53)(48:28) |
| AL-HAQQ | The Truth | (6:62)(22:6)(23:116)(24:25)(31:30) |
| AL-WAKÎL | The Ultimate Trustee, The Disposer of Affairs | (3:173) (4:171) (28:28) (33:3) (73:9) |
| AL-QAWIYY | The Most Strong | (22:40)(22:74)(42:19)(57:25)(58:21) |
| AL-MATÎN | The Firm One, The Authoritative | (51:58) |
| AL-WALIYY | The Protector | (3:68) (4:45) (7:196) (42:28) (45:19) |
| AL-HAMÎD | The All-Praised, The Praiseworthy | (14:1) (14:8) (31:12) (31:26) (41:42) |
| AL-MUHSÎ | The Reckoner | |
| AL-MUBDI' | The Originator | (10:4)(10:34)(27:64)(29:19)(85:13) |
| AL-MU'ÎD | The Restorer to life | (10:4)(10:34)(27:64)(29:19)(85:13) |
| AL-MUHYÎ | The Giver of life | (3:156) (7:158) (15:23)(30:50)(57:2) |
| AL-MUMÎT | The Causer of death | (3:156) (7:158) (15:23) (57:2) |
| AL-HAYY | The Ever-Living | (2:255)(3:2)(20:111)(25:58)(40:65) |
| AL-QAYYÛM | The Self-Existing by Whom all subsist | (2:255) (3:2) (20:111) |
| AL-WÂJID | The Self-Sufficient, The All-Perceiving | (38:44) |
| AL-MÂJID | The Glorified | |
| AL-WÂHID | The One | (2:163) (5:73) (9:31) (18:110) (37:4) |
| AS-SAMAD | The Eternally Besought | (112:2) |
| AL-QÂDIR | The Omnipotent, The Able | (6:65) (36:81) (46:33) (75:40) (86:8) |
| AL-MUQTADIR | The Powerful | (18:45) (54:42) (54:55) |
| AL-MUQADDIM | The Expediter | |
| AL- MU'AKHKHIR | The Delayer | (71:4) |
| AL-AWWAL | The First | (57:3) |
| AL-ÂKHIR | The Last | (57:3) |
| AZ-ZÂHIR | The Manifest | (57:3) |
| AL-BÂTIN | The Hidden | (57:3) |
| AL-WÂLÎ | The Governor, The Protector | |
| AL-MUTA'ÂLÎ | The Most Exalted | (13:9) |
| AL-BARR | The Benign, The Source of All-Goodness | (52:28) |
| AT-TAWWÂB | The Granter and Accepter of repentence | (2:37) (2:128) (4:64) (49:12) (110:3) |
| AL- MUNTAQIM | The Lord of Retribution, The Avenger | (32:22) (43:41) (44:16) |
| AL-'AFUWW | The Pardoner | (4:99) (4:149) (22:60) |
| AR-RA'ÛF | The Most Kind, The Clement | (2:143) (3:30) (9:117) (57:9) (59:10) |
| MÂLIK-UL-MULK | Owner of the Kingdom | (3:26) |
| DHUL JALÂL WAL IKRÂM | Possessor of Majesty and Honour | (55:27) (55:78) |
| AL-MUQSIT | The Just, The Equitable | |
| AL-JÂMI' | The Gatherer | (3:9) |
| AL-GHANIYY | The All-Sufficient | (2:263) (3:97) (39:7) (47:38) (57:24) |
| AL-MUGHNÎ | The Enricher | (9:28) |
| AL-MÂNI' | The Preventer of harm | |
| AD-DÂRR | The Afflicter | |
| AN-NÂFI' | The Benefiter | |
| AN-NÛR | The Light | (24:35) |
| AL-HÂDÎ | The Guide | (25:31) |
| AL-BADÎ' | The Originator | (2:117) (6:101) |
| AL-BÂQÎ | The Everlasting | (55:27) |
| AL-WÂRITH | The Ultimate Inheritor | (15:23) |
| AR-RASHÎD | The Guide | |
| AS-SABÛR | The Patient One | |
Nicole carina.....i admire your efforts about learning islam...as u r christian ..i am sure that u will find Islam as... read more
on Making sense of lifes little boxes....[great verses from The Quran]